Mickelson National Golf Club

Everyone knows Phil ‘Lefty’ Mickelson as a winner on the PGA TOUR but now he appears to also be a winner on the golf design tour, with his first-ever creation teeing off in Canada to great acclaim.

Mickelson National, situated just outside Calgary, Alberta, has drawn rave reviews from all those fortunate enough to play here, including myself, who toured this facility prior to its completion. I was one of those who tasted this golf treat when construction of 12 holes had been finished and the final six were still undergoing sculpting. Even though I haven’t seen the final third of the course, the first dozen holes are, to say the least, spectacular.

Mickelson was brought into the Canadian west by Barry Elhert of the Windmill Golf Group, who said, “Of course I’m very biased but I don’t think people will see another golf course built like this again in Canada. I don’t want to say there won’t be any other golf courses as spectacular, or as good, but I’m not sure they’ll be built this way. The way the golf course has been built, the land that was provided, the amount of material moved to make it like the land had always been there. Frankly I don't think another person will get the support we got, ” to put such a facility into place. “From that perspective, I think it’s going to be very special. I don’t think there are any golf courses that compare to this, in Western Canada for sure and maybe in Canada. ”

Over two million cubic feet of soil was moved at Mickelson National to create this masterpiece that features manufactured ravines, elevation changes galore, and a recirculating creek. From the tips, this monster stretches out to almost 7,400 yards and given the winds that can howl through this part of the province, it can play even longer. The biggest test here is the par 5 11th which plays out to 645 yards - if you’re brave enough.

Interestingly enough the course has been described as a not really true parkland style or a not really true links style. You see, Mickelson National could be described as a hybrid of sorts with its 91bunker complexe. It has a lot of centre-cut fairways with bunkering that gives it that links-style feel. It has quite a bit of slope and undulation as well as slope on greens. At the same time though, at least through the holes I played, it’s not station-to-station, landing area to landing area with blind shots which eases the anxiety one can feel on such a property.

The interesting twist to this facility is that while it can play long, really long in fact, it can also play to the Average Joe’s and Median Mary’s abilities given its set up. Forma pointed out that Mickelson presents some reachable par-four holes, some lengthy par-threes, and some gettable par-fives. But, on the reverse, those holes can also play diametrically opposite.

The hope of this course, which is now a private, members and guests only facility, is to host a major competition some day, and given the length, the diversity holes, and the name behind this project, could happen sooner rather than later.

NOTE: When I played here, the clubhouse wasn't completed, nor was the practice area.